Metro Blue Line passengers in the Los Angeles area will experience travel delays of up to 40 minutes for the next two weekends beginning this Friday night, August 13, due to construction of the Expo light rail line, which will connect with the Metro Blue Line in downtown Los Angeles. Special Metro Bus bridge service will parallel the train route during the construction work.

Work will begin at 9 p.m. on Friday and continue until Monday early morning, August 16. Metro expects to have the Metro Blue Line service restored by Monday before rush hours between Washington and 7^th St/Metro Center Stations. Should any unforeseen delay occur, the bus bridge would continue in operation with buses running between Washington and 7^th/Metro Center stations.

The same plan is for the second weekend beginning Friday night, August 20, and continuing until the early hours of Monday, August 23.

The Metro Blue stations affected will be San Pedro, Grand Avenue, Pico/Chick Hearn and 7^th/Metro Center. Rail service from Washington Station to Long Beach Transit Mall will not be affected. There also will be Metro personnel at Washington and 7^th/Metro Center stations to help direct patrons.

The Expo Line is a new 8.5 -mile light rail line under construction from downtown Los Angeles to Culver City. It will share tracks and two stations with the Metro Blue Line along the Flower Street portion of the alignment.